Johnson & Johnson division releases low-dose version of HIV drug for children

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. A division of Johnson & Johnson has announced the availability of a lower-dose formulation of an HIV drug for children aged 6 and older.

Tibotec Therapeutics, part of Centocor Ortho Biotech Products, said it released a 75 mg formulation of Prezista (darunavir) for children with HIV. The Food and Drug Administration had approved Prezista for use in children 6 and older administered with Prezista/r (ritonavir) and other antiretroviral agents on Dec. 18.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 2,587 children younger than 13 living with HIV and 1,116 living with AIDS in the United States at the end of 2006, in addition to about 56,500 between 13 and 24 with HIV.

"The HIV epidemic continues to affect thousands of children in the U.S., and these patients have fewer treatment options than adults," Chicago Children's Memorial Hospital director of pediatric, adolescent and maternal HIV infection Ram Yogev said in a statement.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 2,587 children younger than 13 living with HIV and 1,116 living with AIDS in the United States at the end of 2006, in addition to about 56,500 between 13 and 24 with HIV.

"The HIV epidemic continues to affect thousands of children in the U.S., and these patients have fewer treatment options than adults," Chicago Children's Memorial Hospital director of pediatric, adolescent and maternal HIV infection Ram Yogev said in a statement.